High plateau, snorkeling in the crystal clear river, Pantanal and Jaguar tour- 8 days / 7 nights

Day 1: Cuiabá Airport – Chapada dos Guimarães (2 nights)

After your arrival at the airport, your guide will meet you holding a UeSo Pantanal Lodge sign. Together, you’ll head out on a 70-kilometre drive to Chapada dos Guimarães – a striking region northeast of Cuiabá, located on a rocky plateau at 836 metres above sea level. This landscape features deep canyons, flat-topped mountains, hidden caves, clear rivers, and waterfalls. Chapada forms its own ecosystem, lying between the Amazon to the north and the Pantanal to the south. Once in Chapada, you’ll check in at one of our partner lodges. Lunch is arranged flexibly based on your arrival time. In the afternoon, you’ll visit the Mirante viewpoint for wide-open views across the highlands – standing right at the geographical centre of South America. A varied hike takes you to sandstone towers shaped by millions of years of erosion. The walk continues through rugged terrain and across the plateau. Depending on the season and current park regulations, additional highlights may be included – subject to park opening times, which can change at short notice. In the evening, you’ll return to Chapada dos Guimarães for a relaxed dinner. The rest of the evening is free.

Day 2: Chapada dos Guimarães

After a hearty breakfast, you visit the region’s most famous waterfall – the impressive «Veu de Noiva» or «Bride’s Veil», dropping nearly 70 metres down a steep cliff. The fine mist and dramatic setting make it one of the icons of Chapada dos Guimarães. Back in the village, a typical regional lunch is waiting for you. After a short siesta, you head out again to explore the plateau on foot. Walk through a landscape of sandstone formations and wide-open views. In the evening, you return to the lodge and enjoy a relaxed dinner.

Day 3: Chapada dos Guimarães – Lodge in Nobres (1 night)

After breakfast, you continue your journey to our partner lodge in Bom Jardim. The 150-kilometre drive takes about two hours. Once you arrive, a hearty lunch is served. In the afternoon, you explore the lush vegetation along the waterways, with shrubs and leafy trees all around. Equipped with snorkelling gear, you enter a crystal-clear spring pool teeming with underwater life. You may spot pintado, dorado, and various types of colourful aquarium fish – and even small freshwater stingrays resting on the sandy bottom. Afterwards, you float gently down the river, taking in the tropical scenery from a different perspective. Later in the afternoon, a short trip brings you to the Laguna das Araras, another natural highlight. This is a great spot for birdwatching – look out for macaws, parrots, storks, and herons. You return to the lodge in time for dinner and enjoy a relaxed evening.

Day 4: Lodge in Nobres – UeSo Pantanal Lodge (2 nights)

After breakfast, you begin your journey towards Poconé. On the way, there’s a stop at a gas station for a snack or a refreshing coffee. Once you’ve passed the former gold mining town of Poconé, you continue along the world-famous Transpantaneira highway, heading towards the UeSo Pantanal Lodge. Along the way, you make a few stops to observe wildlife and explore the diverse plant life. After checking in at the lodge, a buffet lunch awaits you, followed by a restful break. In the late afternoon, you head out on a walk through the surrounding forests. With a bit of luck, you may spot various bird species, capuchin monkeys, or even howler monkeys. The day ends with a delicious buffet dinner at the lodge.

Day 5: UeSo Pantanal Lodge

In the morning, around 5:00 AM, you begin with a sunrise walk before breakfast. A small coffee or tea is available to enjoy before the tour. Witness the awakening of the Pantanal – a natural spectacle that will leave you amazed. After breakfast, you embark on a horseback ride with our mules and horses, the traditional means of transport in the Pantanal. Even if you have no previous riding experience, it’s no problem. If you like, you can join in the saddling and unsaddling of your mule and lend a hand. We provide riding helmets for your safety. Lunch is served buffet-style at the lodge. After a relaxing break, you head out on a boat tour along the nearby Rio Novo or Rio Claro. We rely on the muscle power of the guides and avoid using motors. You are welcome to join in the paddling if you wish. Motor noise would disturb shy birds, and other animals would avoid it. Life jackets are, of course, provided. With a bit of luck, you may encounter a family of giant river otters, many birds, and possibly even some mammals, including tapirs.

Day 6: UeSo Pantanal Lodge - Jaguar Safari Chalana UeSo Pantanal
(1 night)

The breakfast buffet starts at 7:00 AM. Afterward, you begin your journey towards Porto Jofre, the endpoint of the legendary Transpantaneira. Along the way, you make frequent stops to observe wildlife and birds in their natural habitat – including caimans, capybaras, and many other species that define the Pantanal. At a scenic spot, you take a break for a picnic lunch with a packed meal. You continue along the final stretch of the Transpantaneira until you reach Porto Jofre. There, you check into your cabin aboard the Chalana UeSo Pantanal boat. Until dinner – and after – you have time to enjoy the vast, tranquil river landscape at your leisure. You’ll spend the night on board the Chalana.

Day 7: Chalana UeSo Pantanal – UeSo Pantanal Lodge (1 night)

At 7:00 AM, breakfast is ready. Afterward, you embark on a boat tour aboard a small motorboat, cruising through the beautiful waters of the Rio Cuiabá, Rio Tres Irmãos, Rio São Lourenço, and Rio Piquiri. This is the home of jaguars, and the chance to see these majestic predators is high. After about four and a half hours, around 12:30 PM, a well-deserved lunch is served on the Chalana UeSo Pantanal boat. After lunch, you leave the Chalana UeSo Pantanal around 1:45 PM, heading back to the UeSo Pantanal Lodge, where you will arrive in the late afternoon. Dinner and overnight accommodation await you at the lodge.

Day 8: UeSo Pantanal Lodge – Cuiabá Airport

After breakfast, you’ll be transferred to the airport. If your flight is in the afternoon, you have the option to take another excursion in the morning, either on foot or on a mule. In this case, the transfer to the airport will take place after lunch.

Note:

All planned activities will take place, but the order may change for organizational reasons.